John 12 15

John 12:15 kjv

Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

John 12:15 nkjv

"Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt."

John 12:15 niv

"Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

John 12:15 esv

"Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!"

John 12:15 nlt

"Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey's colt."

John 12 verses

(h2) MeaningJohn 12:15 serves as a direct quotation and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically Zechariah 9:9 and an allusion to Isaiah 62:11. It declares to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (represented by "daughter of Zion") a profound message: their long-awaited Messiah-King, Jesus, is arriving. Crucially, He does not come as a powerful military conqueror on a warhorse, but as a humble, peaceful deliverer, "sitting on an ass's colt," revealing the true nature of His kingdom which is not of this world but rooted in humility, peace, and spiritual redemption. The command "Fear not" offers reassurance and invites them to rejoice in this unique arrival.

(h2) Cross References

(h2) ContextJohn 12:15 immediately follows the disciples bringing the donkey's colt to Jesus and preparing Him for entry (John 12:14). This verse explains why Jesus rode on a donkey, directly citing prophetic fulfillment. The broader context is Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, occurring shortly before Passover, the final week leading to His crucifixion and resurrection. This event happened a day after the raising of Lazarus, which had significantly increased public excitement and stirred strong reactions from both supporters (who hoped for a political Messiah) and the religious authorities (who plotted His death). John emphasizes that this entrance was not a sudden impulse but a deliberate, prophesied act of Jesus identifying as the long-awaited King. However, the crowd's understanding of this "King" was largely political, aiming for liberation from Rome, contrasting sharply with Jesus' spiritual and redemptive mission highlighted by His humble mount. The narrative aims to show that despite outward appearances, Jesus consistently fulfilled scriptural prophecies.

(h2) Word analysis

• Fear not (Μὴ φοβοῦ - Mē phobou): This is an emphatic negative imperative, a direct command from God's word, designed to dispel anxiety or apprehension. In biblical contexts, this phrase often precedes a momentous divine action or revelation, assuring individuals or groups of God's protection and providential care. It suggests that what is about to happen, though perhaps unexpected, is part of God's benevolent plan.

• daughter of Zion (θύγατερ Σιών - thugater Siōn): This is a poetic, personified appellation for Jerusalem and its inhabitants, symbolizing the faithful community or people of God. Zion itself carries deep theological significance as the holy hill of God, the place where the Temple stood, representing God's dwelling and the center of His covenantal relationship with Israel. The term evokes the prophetic tradition, often used when promising deliverance or a significant visitation from God.

• behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): An interjection used to draw immediate and keen attention. It functions like an exclamation, indicating something extraordinary, significant, or divinely revealed is about to be presented or witnessed. It signals the advent of the prophesied King.

• thy King (ὁ βασιλεύς σου - ho basileus sou): Refers to Jesus as the promised Messiah and sovereign ruler. The possessive "thy" emphasizes that this King belongs specifically to "daughter of Zion" – to God's people. This declaration highlights Jesus' regal authority and royal lineage, establishing His identity as the long-awaited, rightful King.

• cometh (ἔρχεται - erchetai): A present tense verb, conveying immediate arrival, an active state of "is coming," rather than a future possibility. This implies a definite, currently unfolding reality. It stresses the present fulfillment of prophecy.

• sitting (ἐπικαθήμενος - epikathēmenos): A present participle, describing the ongoing posture and manner of the King's arrival. It emphasizes a deliberate, calm, and regal act, rather than an accidental or hurried approach. This act of "sitting" carries authority and implies a stable, peaceful reign.

• on an ass's colt (ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου - epi pῶlon onou): This specific detail directly echoes Zechariah 9:9 and is profoundly symbolic. An "ass" (donkey) was not an animal for war or showy military triumph, but rather signified peace, humility, and daily life. Kings riding donkeys would symbolize a peaceful accession rather than conquest. The "colt" specifically denotes a young, possibly unbroken animal, underscoring its special dedication and ceremonial use for this momentous entry. This detail starkly contrasts Jesus' kingship with conventional worldly power and aggression, emphasizing His role as the Prince of Peace.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Fear not, daughter of Zion": This phrase delivers divine reassurance and comfort. It dispels fear concerning external circumstances or anxieties about God's timing, inviting a state of receptive trust and joy in the approaching divine intervention. It prepares the "daughter of Zion" for an unconventional manifestation of kingship.
  • "behold, thy King cometh": This is an imperative call to perceive and acknowledge the specific person of Jesus as the prophesied King. The phrase highlights the immediate, active arrival of the long-anticipated monarch, presenting Him as the central figure of their messianic hope, though He comes in an unexpected way.
  • "sitting on an ass's colt": This specific visual imagery is pivotal for interpreting Jesus' messianic identity. It deliberately contrasts Him with military leaders who rode warhorses, signifying His kingdom is one of peace, humility, and salvation, rather than military conquest or worldly might. It directly connects Him to prophecy, underscoring the spiritual nature of His reign over political ambition.

(h2) CommentaryJohn 12:15 succinctly presents the pivotal moment of Jesus' triumphal entry through the lens of fulfilled prophecy. It’s a profound declaration of Jesus' messianic identity, but crucially, it reshapes the common understanding of kingship. "Fear not, daughter of Zion," drawn from Isaiah's prophecies, is an ancient call to courage and rejoicing, here reassigned to God's people welcoming their deliverer. The core revelation, "behold, thy King cometh," affirms Jesus as the anticipated sovereign. However, the subsequent phrase, "sitting on an ass's colt," challenges all human expectations of a king. This detail, a direct fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, underscores Jesus’ humility, peaceful intent, and subversion of worldly power. Unlike an earthly potentate arriving on a warhorse for battle, Jesus chooses a symbol of peace and lowliness. This was God's chosen way to present His King, not as a military hero, but as a righteous deliverer offering salvation through meekness and ultimate sacrifice. This paradox of glory veiled in humility reveals the true nature of God's kingdom, contrasting sharply with the nationalistic hopes of many Jews, who, as John 12:16 notes, only truly grasped the prophetic significance after Jesus' resurrection and glorification.

(h2) Bonus section

• A Deliberate Prophetic Act: Jesus actively chose to enter Jerusalem in this specific manner, meticulously orchestrating the details (finding the colt, John 12:14) to intentionally fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. This was not a chance event, but a deliberate presentation of Himself as the Messiah according to scriptural revelation.
• The Unveiling of Truth: While many in the crowd might have perceived a temporary political leader or national deliverer, the fulfillment of Zech 9:9 through Jesus' actions offered a subtle yet powerful theological statement about the non-coercive, humble nature of His ultimate spiritual reign, which only few truly grasped at the time.
• Significance of "Colt": The detail of it being a "colt" (young donkey) also signifies an animal unused for other labor. In Jewish tradition, animals used for sacred purposes (like a firstborn sacrifice, or the Red Heifer for purification) had to be untouched or never yoked, making the colt fit for this unique divine mission.
• Divine Revelation in Simplicity: God often uses simple, unexpected, or humble means to achieve His grandest purposes, subverting human expectations of grandeur and power. This pattern is evident throughout scripture and finds a poignant expression in Jesus' royal entry.